Best Football Clubs in Ireland – Ranking Irish teams in all-time history.

 

The League of Ireland or now the Republic of Ireland Premier Division represents the best football teams in the Irish nation.

 

 

The best football clubs in Ireland have also made their mark at the international level most especially in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, etc even though they are not top-notch.

 

Cool facts

Who is the best football team in Ireland? Shamrock Rovers is the most successful in Ireland with 14 league titles, 25 FAI Cup and more.

 

Who has won the most League of Ireland titles? Shamrock Rovers have won more League of Ireland Premier Division titles with 14 overall but trail Dundalk in terms of highest number of titles with 8 in the newly adopted format.

 

 

Although the League of Ireland is far behind from its counterparts in England, the league is still one of the average leagues around the European continent.

 

Formed in 1985, the league has continued to house the best Irish Football teams.

 

In the history of football in the Republic of Ireland, Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Shelbourne FC are the most successful teams following successes recorded in various competitions.

 

 

The League of Ireland is gradually gaining attention across the country even though it is not as big as it is in other European countries.

 

The best and the most successful football clubs in Ireland (Irish teams)

 

Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk stand today as two of the most successful Irish team domestically. On the international scene, the two teams are the best performers.

 

Ranking the best Football Clubs in the Republic of Ireland

 

1. Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers is a professional football club in Tallaght that competes in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

 

Shamrock Rovers are the most successful Irish football team with more trophies more than any other side.

 

Shamrock has won 18 League titles, 25 FAI Cups, 25 League of Ireland Shield, etc.

 

This is by far the best of any Irish professional football team.

 

In the history of the country’s senior national team, Shamrock Rovers have produced the most number of players that have gone on to represent the country at the international level.

 

Shamrock Rovers FC Trophies and Achievements

 

The club remains the most successful Irish team.

 

League of Ireland Premier Division – National

Shamrock Rovers are record winners of the League of Ireland with 18 titles. The club won the title in three consecutive seasons as well as back to back wins on two occasions.

 

But since the beginning of the new League of Ireland Premier Division, Shamrock Rovers are second with 6 titles behind Dundalk who lead by 8 titles.

 

 

In the overall standings, the club lead with over 18 titles which is a national record.

 

FAI Cup – National

The FA Cup or the Football Association Ireland Cup is the national knockout cup competition.

 

The club also boasts of another record 25 FAI Cups beginning from 1925. Shamrock Rovers made a cord six yearsarsning streaks in the FAI Cup from 1964 to 1969.

 

This remarkable achievement was followed by another three years triumph from 1985 to 1987.

 

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the club has only won the FAI Cup once in 2019.

 

Other top trophies

League of Ireland First Division – 1

League of Ireland Shield – 18 record

League of Ireland Cup – 2

LFA President’s Cup – 21 record

Dublin City Cup – 10

Top Four Cup – 3

FAI Super Cup – 1

Setanta Sports Cup – 2

Leinster Senior League – 1

Leinster Senior Cup – 18

 

Rivalry

Shamrock Rovers is one of the most heavily supported football clubs in the Republic of Ireland.

 

The club also shares unique rivalries with top Irish teams

 

Shamrock Rovers vs Shelbourne

It is one of the oldest rivalries in Irish football history. It is also one of the most fiercely contested derbies.

 

Shamrock Rovers vs St. Patrick’s Athletic

This is rather a local derby shared between the two teams.

Shamrock Rovers vs Bohemians

 

This is a classic rivalry that exists in Irish football today. The match between the two sides draws a large audience across the country.

 

2. Dundalk

Dundalk is an Irish professional football club based in Dundalk that competes in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

 

In the history of football in Ireland, Dundalk is the second most successful team and have also enjoyed more success in European football Competition like the UEFA Europa League.

 

 

Dundalk has won over 11 league titles and 12 FAI Cups.

 

However, in the modern era of the League of Ireland Premier Division, the club is the most successful with 8 titles while Shamrock leads with 18 overall and 6 in the modern era.

 

Founded in 1903, Dundalk enjoys favourable placement in UEFA Club Competitions as a result of impressive results obtained in previous years.

 

 

The club alongside Shamrock enjoyed success in the domestic scene beginning from the early years of football in the Republic of Ireland.

 

Dundalk FC Trophies and Achievements

Dundalk prides itself as one of the most successful Irish teams in history.

 

In the modern era of the League of Ireland Premier Division, Dundalk is the most successful with eight titles followed by Shamrock with six titles.

 

League of Ireland Premier Division – National

Dundalk has enjoyed more success in the domestic league since its newly adopted format.

 

In total, the club has won 8 league titles with an overall win which stand at 14 league titles.

 

Its first title was achieved during the 1932–33 football season.

 

Dundalk won the league three consecutive seasons beginning from 2014 to 2016 with another back to back win between 2018 and 2019.

 

FAI Cup – National

The Football Association Ireland Cup Competition.

 

Dundalk boost of 12 Cup titles behind record winners Shamrock Rovers who leads with a record 25 titles.

 

Other top trophies

League Cup – 7

League of Ireland First Division – 2

Leinster Senior Cup – 7

President’s Cup – 3

Champions Cup – 1

 

Rivalry

The Louth Derby: Dundalk vs Drogheda United

Dundalk vs Shamrock Rovers

This is regarded are the biggest rivalry in the history of Irish club football since the clubs at the most successful in terms of trophies and performance.

 

3. Shelbourne

Shelbourne is an Irish professional football club based in Dublin that competes in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

 

 

Founded in 1895, Shelbourne is the third most successful Irish team with 13 league titles, 7 FAI Cup with other top trophies domestically.

 

Shelbourne Trophies and Achievements

Shelbourne have also won a considerable number of domestic titles throughout its history as a club in Ireland.

 

League of Ireland Premier Division – National

The club has won over 13 league titles (6 in the newly adopted format).

 

The club’s first triumph was in the 1925–26 season. The club also enjoyed success with a remarkable three consecutive titles from 2002 to 2004.

 

FAI Cup – National

Shelbourne have won 7 FAI Cup titles.

 

Other top trophies

League of Ireland/First Division – 1

Irish Cup – 3

League of Ireland Cup – 1

League of Ireland Shield – 8

LFA President’s Cup – 8 and more.

 

4. Bohemians

Bohemians Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in Dublin that competes in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

 

 

Bohemians are the fourth most successful Irish team in all-time history. The club has won 11 league titles, 7 FAI Cup, etc.

 

Bohemians are also another Irish football flag bearer when it comes to European club football alongside Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, etc.

 

Bohemians Football Club Trophies and Achievements

 

League of Ireland Premier Division – National

Bohemians have won a total of 11 league titles. The club made it back to back wins between 2008 and 2009.

 

FAI Cup – National

Bohemians boost of 7 FAI Cup titles.

 

Rivalry

Bohemians vs Shamrock Rovers

Bohemians vs Shelbourne

 

 

5. St Patrick’s Athletic F.C

 

St Patrick’s Athletic F.C is an Irish professional football club based in Inchicore that competes in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic Football Club prides itself as the fifth most successful Irish football team in history.

 

The club has won 9 League of Ireland Premier Division titles, 3 FAI Cup titles, etc.

 

 

St Patrick’s Athletic Club Trophies and Achievements

 

League of Ireland Premier Division – National

The club has won nine league titles.

 

FAI Cup – National

St Patrick’s Athletic boost of three Football Association Ireland Cup.

 

Conclusion

Republic of Ireland is another top destination when it comes to football.

 

Even though the level of the game is not as high as other countries, the country still has some of the best football clubs domestically.

 

Clubs like Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, Shelbourne are regarded as the most successful football clubs in Ireland.

 

In the modern League of Ireland Premier Division, Dundalk are the most successful side with 8 title followed by Shamrock Rovers with 6 titles.

 

In the overall league winners, Shamrock are the leading team as Dundalk trail while Shelbourne and Bohemians completes the chasing park.